“God’s Own Country” Takes BIFA Top Prizes

Francis Lee’s stunning drama “God’s Own Country,” about a Yorkshire farmer and a Romanian farmhand who fall in love, swept the British Indepdendent Film Awards on Sunday. The film, which boasts a 99% Rotten Tomatoes score, took home the top prizes of best British independent film, best actor for Josh O’Connor, and best debut screenwriter for Francis Lee.

Other big winners were “Lady Macbeth” for best screenplay, best actress for Florence Pugh, and most promising newcomer for Naomie Ackie; “I Am Not a Witch” which took best director, best debut director and breakthrough producer; and “Death of Stalin” which won best casting, make-up, production design and supporting actor performance for Simon Russell Beale.

Patricia Clarkson won the best supporting actress “The Party,” Jordan Peele’s “Get Out” won best international independent film, and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’ took home best editing and music.